Arrest made in slaying of man, 83

Saturday

Mar 30, 2013 at 12:01 AM

STOCKTON - Detectives from the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office on Friday arrested their primary suspect in the murder of 83-year-old Robert Picetti, a Stockton man who disappeared in late November, authorities said.

The Record

STOCKTON - Detectives from the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office on Friday arrested their primary suspect in the murder of 83-year-old Robert Picetti, a Stockton man who disappeared in late November, authorities said.

Otilio Garcia, 53, was arrested at his east Stockton home on suspicion of murder and elder abuse, said Deputy Les Garcia, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Office. Picetti was last seen with Garcia about 1:40 p.m. Nov. 27 at a Burger King restaurant in Lockeford, authorities said.

According to officials, Garcia was deceptive with investigators. He told detectives he went to Ione to go mushroom hunting with Picetti, but he has not told investigators why he left Picetti behind and drove his truck back to Stockton. Picetti's body was found Dec. 20 in a remote part of Amador County, near the area where he went mushroom hunting with Garcia, authorities said.